Naira, dollar

How the Naira Has Becomes World’s Third Worst-Performing Currency

News - Women's Perspective

The Nigerian Naira is currently ranked as the world’s third worst-performing currency following a steep 70% loss in value against the dollar in 2024.

It currently trails only the Lebanese pound and the Ethiopian birr regarding depreciation.

On Monday, October 28th, the naira weakened by 4.3%, hitting an all-time low of 1,670.65 per dollar, according to Bloomberg data. The decline was driven by a 72% drop in dollar liquidity to $81 million, marking the lowest level in over a month.

The currency’s devaluation which stems from a low liquidity in the country’s foreign exchange market has exacerbated the currency’s volatility.

This comes as the country focuses on building its reserves, which reached $39.4 billion on October 24, the highest in two years.

However, Africa’s largest crude producer has struggled to stabilize its currency since it was floated in June last year, with falling oil production hampering foreign exchange inflows.

Finance Minister Wale Edun recently acknowledged the issue, noting that increasing crude output is essential for bolstering Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves and strengthening the naira.

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